The College of Environmental Design Undergraduate Advising Blog

PIRG stands for the Public Interest Research Group. We stand up for the public against powerful interests when they push the other way, winning concrete results on real problems that affect millions of lives. Whether it’s stopping the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms, banning Monsanto’s Roundup unless and until it’s proven safe, protecting consumers from unsafe or unscrupulous practices, or other problems, the conventional wisdom says that issues are either 'liberal' or 'conservative.’ But these problems affect each and every one of us, regardless of whether you live in a red or blue state. And our solutions aren't ‘Republican’ or ‘Democratic’ — they're just common sense. The challenge is that powerful special interests have used their enormous resources to gain influence within our political system, while casting doubt on our solutions. And if the special interests and their allies in the White House, statehouses, or boardrooms push in the wro...

Made possible by the generosity of Mimi Haas and named in honor of her late husband, the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders Program seeks to grow a new generation of leaders devoted to serving the public good. Peter Haas was a legendary Cal alumnus and friend to UC Berkeley who was known for his deep commitment to helping others. The program provides scholarships and leadership training for up to 20 undergraduates who demonstrate a commitment to taking action in support of the University’s public service mission. By cultivating student leadership and a lifelong commitment to service, the program has an ever-broadening impact in supporting those students to engage their peers in public service. This innovative program provides need-based scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, reducing the financial contribution expected of students and their families and making it possible for students from all income backgrounds to commit more time to service activities. Students who are select...

 Uniting research, analysis, and advocacy to change the world! We are currently accepting applications for the Lisa Kernan Social Justice Fellows Program to honor the life and work of Lisa Devereux Kernan. Fellowships will be provided for a four week Program in the late Spring to early Summer 2014 to two outstanding students with a demonstrated commitment to social justice.  Due date for application: April 7, 2014. Fellows will receive a stipend of $1,000 for the Program.  Examples of projects on which Kernan Fellows may work include:  • CPATH Trade and Health Project examining proposals regarding access to public health, tobacco control, essential medicines, and related issues in pending trade agreements, including the Trans Pacific Partnership. (url: www.cpath.org )  • EQUAL Health Network – A project bringing a strong public voice for implementation of national health care reform, including advocacy for reproductive health care and inclusion of immigrants, an...

Tuesday, February 25th from 6-8pm Training: Managing obstacles/disasters Location: 254 Dwinelle Hall Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Training: Educating Boys: A Gender-Responsive Approach to Teaching Male Youth Location: 170 Barrows Hall Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Tuesday, March 18th from 6-8pm Training: Working with the media Location: 254 Dwinelle Hall Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Training: Crafting and delivering a strong argument Location: 255 Dwinelle Hall Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Training: Facilitation - working with different personalities Location: 251 Dwinelle Hall Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Training: Teach For America - Critical Perspectives Location: TBD Please RSVP HERE if you plan on attending Tuesday, April 1st from 6-8pm Training: A Conversation on Citizenship: Intersections of Race, Gender and Citizenshi...